EP1974357B1 - Method and device for closing in a water-filled pool a loaded case with irradiated nuclear fuel - Google Patents

Abstract

The process comprises immersing a case (12) and container (10) assembly in a pool, filling the case with nuclear fuel (4) and fitting a cover (D) with a case end plug over the assembly. The pneumatic fluid pressure inside the cover is maintained to hold the water below the level of the container's open end (30) while the open end of the case is closed and sealed using remote-controlled arms (16, 16'), with the seal verified before removing the cover.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for packaging irradiated nuclear fuel in a swimming pool and to a closure device in a pool of holsters containing irradiated nuclear fuel, for storage or reprocessing, or even for deep-seated storage. .

As part of the management of spent fuel, after their use in the reactor, they undergo a cooling step in the pool in a building, called fuel building, which is usually located next to the reactor building.

At the end of this cooling step, the irradiated fuel is removed from the pool and then discharged to a storage location waiting for a definitive outlet that can be either the reprocessing or the geological storage.

The cooling stage in the pool is of limited duration because of the reduced capacity of the cooling pools.

In this context, it is then envisaged to condition the irradiated fuels in cases forming the first confinement barrier, each case being itself placed in a container forming a second confinement barrier and ensuring the mechanical strength of the whole. This container is intended for transporting the case to its temporary storage location.

At present, the conditioning of irradiated nuclear fuels is carried out in hot cells, which provide confinement and protection against radiation by shielded walls. These hot cells have the disadvantage of being of heavy and expensive construction.

It is also known from the document FR 2,806,828 , a device for closing under water an irradiated fuel case comprising a bell intended to cover a sealed open end of the case in a sealed manner, a robot being brought into the bell by a tube, connecting the bell to the outside environment, this robot being intended to fix the cap on the case.

The device allows to bring a tube to suck water contained in the case before the introduction of the cap.

This device and its associated method do not allow a safe nuclear fuel conditioning, since no verification of the tightness of the closure of the case is performed. In addition, when the spent fuel is out of the pool, a single biological protection formed by the case separates it from the outside environment.

In addition, the bell is connected to the external environment by a channel allowing the passage, in particular of the welding means. So the radiation tightness is difficult to implement.

The document DE 8906938 describes an installation for enclosing nuclear fuel in a case, this installation being arranged in a basin.

This two-part system comprises a lower cylindrical housing in which the case is directly disposed before filling with the fuel and a bell covering the top of the container. The lower housing has in its bottom an evacuation of the water contained in the case.

This storage offers only one biological barrier formed by the holster.

In addition, this installation is very bulky and difficult to handle, including transport to be implemented in other pools.

Moreover, no verification of the tightness of the closure of the container is described.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an irradiated nuclear fuel conditioning method for free air storage without the risk of radiation.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device for conditioning in the pool of irradiated nuclear fuel safely and in a packaging providing dual biological protection.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pool case closure device low cost compared to known devices.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

• d'immersion dans la piscine d'un étui disposé dans un container,
• de mise en place du dispositif de fermeture au dessus du container,
• d'abaissement du niveau de l'eau dans le dispositif d'abaissement à un niveau inférieur à une extrémité ouverte du container,
• de fixation d'un bouchon sur l'étui,
• de retrait de l'eau dans l'étui,
• de vérification de l'étanchéité de la fermeture.

The previously stated goals are achieved by a nuclear fuel pool conditioning process, comprising the steps of:

• immersion in the pool of a case arranged in a container,
• setting up the closure device above the container,
• lowering the level of the water in the lowering device to a level below an open end of the container,
• fixing a cap on the case,
• removing the water in the case,
• checking the tightness of the closure.

A device according to the present invention comprises a bell adapted to cover the container receiving the case, the bell being provided with means for fixing the cap on the case, emptying and drying the case, checking the absence of water in the case and the sealing of the closure obtained by the cap.

The bell is stored in the pool and is placed over a container to cover it during nuclear fuel conditioning.

The device according to the present invention has the advantage of being easily transportable. It makes it possible to package fuels directly in their storage pool, so the use of heavy means, such as a hot cell, is no longer necessary. The operating cost of such a device is reduced.

In addition, the conditioning directly in the pool makes it possible to benefit from the biological protection provided by the water and avoids the transport of irradiated fuel without completely safe biological and mechanical protection.

The bell has the equipment that allows to dry the fuel elements, to achieve the welding of a tight cover on the case and the control of the tightness of the closure. All operations are performed remotely and under water.

• immersion du container et de l'étui dans la piscine,
• chargement de l'étui avec du combustible nucléaire,
• mise en place d'un dispositif de fermeture de l'étui au dessus du container, ledit dispositif comportant au moins un premier bouchon d'étui,
• maintien d'une pression de fluide pneumatique dans le dispositif de manière à maintenir le niveau de l'eau à un niveau inférieur à une extrémité ouverte du l'emballage,
• fixation d'un bouchon sur une extrémité ouverte de l'étui par un moyen contenu dans le dispositif,
• vidange de l'étui par un moyen de vidange contenu dans le dispositif,
• vérification de l'étanchéité de la fermeture réalisée par le bouchon,
• retrait du dispositif.

The main subject of the present invention is therefore a method for packaging a nuclear fuel pool in a container contained in a container, comprising the steps of:

• immersion of the container and the holster in the pool,
• loading the case with nuclear fuel,
• setting up a device for closing the case above the container, said device comprising at least a first case cap,
• maintaining a pneumatic fluid pressure in the device so as to maintain the level of water at a level below an open end of the package,
• fixing a cap on an open end of the case by means contained in the device,
• emptying the case by a means of emptying contained in the device,
• checking the tightness of the closure made by the plug,
• removal of the device.

During the emptying of the case, it is expected a removal of water by means of a pump, then a gas scan in the case to dry the inside of the case.

Advantageously, at the end of emptying a check of the absence of water in the case is performed, for example by a pressure rise measurement.

• un balayage à l'hélium de l'intérieur de l'étui et mise sous pression de l'intérieur de l'étui avec de l'hélium,
• une mise en oeuvre d'un spectromètre à hélium pour détecter une éventuelle fuite d'hélium.

The tightness check of the closure may include:

• a helium scan of the inside of the case and pressurized the inside of the case with helium,
• an implementation of a helium spectrometer to detect a possible leak of helium.

Preferably, the first plug is fixed by welding.

A second plug contained in the closure device is advantageously fixed on the first plug before the return of the device. closure, it may include gripping means.

It can also be planned to set up a cap on the container after removal of the closure device.

Very advantageously, the packaging and the closure device are arranged relative to each other in a specific relative position, allowing in particular an automation of the closing process.

The present invention also relates to a closure device in the pool of a case disposed in a container, said case being loaded with irradiated fuel, comprising a bell, at least a first plug provided with connectors, means for setting up said cap on the case, means for fixing the cap on the case, means for removing the water, means for verifying the total withdrawal of the water and means for checking the tightness of the closure of the case on the cap.

The closure device may comprise an arm forming the means for placing the cap on the case.

The draining means may comprise a pump and means for performing a gas scan of the case to dry, said pump and said scanning means being connectable to at least one connector.

Preferably, the means of verification of the seal comprise means for injecting helium into the case and a spectrometer to helium; the means for injecting helium is connectable to at least one connector.

The fixing means are advantageously welding means, these means being brought near the case by an arm contained in the bell.

Advantageously, the closure device may contain a storage device of several first plugs, allowing the closure of several cases without having to reassemble the closure device.

The closure device may also include a device for storing a plurality of second plugs intended to be fixed on the first plugs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• les figures 1A et 1B sont des représentations schématiques du cadre de la mise en oeuvre du procédé et du dispositif selon la présente invention dans un mode de repos et un mode de fermeture respectivement,
• la figure 2 est un diagramme des différentes étapes du procédé selon la présente invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif de chargement selon la présente invention.

The present invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows and the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figures 1A and 1B are diagrammatic representations of the framework of the implementation of the method and the device according to the present invention in a rest mode and a closure mode respectively,
• the figure 2 is a diagram of the different steps of the process according to the present invention,
• the figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a loading device according to the present invention.

DETAILED PRESENTATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

On the Figures 1A and 1B we can see a pool 2 filled with water in which are stored nuclear fuel 4 irradiated for cooling. These fuels can be in the form of assembling several fuel rods or fuels in plates or any other form.

This pool can receive a closure device D according to the present invention which can be kept immersed in the pool even in the absence of use thereof.

The pool 2 comprises a bottom 6 provided with a base 8 to receive a container 10 in which is disposed a case 12. This case 12 is intended to contain the irradiated fuel and forms a first containment barrier, the container 10 meanwhile forms a second confinement barrier and also ensures the mechanical maintenance of the assembly.

The container 10 is intended to ensure the biological confinement and its mechanical protection during its transport to a storage location.

In the following description, the container assembly 10 and case 12 will be called packaging and indicated by the reference 11.

• à l'étape 100, d'immerger le container 10 dans lequel a été disposé au préalable l'étui 12,
• à l'étape 200, de remplir l'étui 12 avec le combustible irradié,
• à l'étape 300, de disposer le dispositif D au dessus de l'emballage de manière à couvrir l'emballage, une extrémité inférieure 28 du dispositif repose sur le socle 8 dans le fond de la piscine (figure 3),
• à l'étape 400, de maintien du niveau d'eau à un niveau inférieur à une extrémité ouverte 30 de l'emballage 11,
• à l'étape 500, de mise en place d'un bouchon sur l'étui et de fixation de celui-ci de manière étanche, le dispositif de fermeture comportant des moyens permettant d'extraire l'eau contenue dans l'étui, de sécher l'intérieur de l'étui et de vérifier l'étanchéité de fermeture opérée par celui-ci,
• à l'étape 600, de retrait de l'eau contenu dans l'étui,
• à l'étape 700, de vérification de l'absence d'eau dans l'étui,
• à l'étape 800, de vérification de l'étanchéité de la fermeture de l'étui.

The process according to the present invention is represented in the form of a flowchart on the figure 2 and provides in particular:

• in step 100, to immerse the container 10 in which the case 12 has been previously disposed,
• in step 200, filling the case 12 with the irradiated fuel,
• in step 300, to arrange the device D above the package so as to cover the package, a lower end 28 of the device rests on the base 8 in the bottom of the pool ( figure 3 )
• in step 400, maintaining the water level at a level below an open end 30 of the package 11,
• in step 500, placing a stopper on the case and fastening it in a sealed manner, the closure device comprising means for extracting the water contained in the case, dry the inside of the case and check the tightness of closure operated by it,
• in step 600, removing the water contained in the case,
• in step 700, checking the absence of water in the case,
• in step 800, checking the tightness of the closure of the case.

The device D, represented at figure 3 , comprises a bell 14 having substantially an inverted U-shaped section, able to be moved in the pool so that it can be placed above the package.

The bell can be moved by means of slings 15 fixed on an upper part of the bell and connected to a movable bridge.

The bell 14 comprises means for setting up plugs, means for fixing them for example by welding, means for emptying the inside of the case, means for checking the absence of water in the case and means for checking the tightness of the closure of the case (not shown) in cooperation with the plug connectors.

The bell 14 comprises at least one arm, two arms 16, 16 'in the example shown, to implement the means mentioned above.

In the example shown on the figure 3 , the device according to the invention comprises an arm 16 'for the establishment of plugs and an arm 16 for sealing plugs and checking the closure.

The arms 16, 16 'are, for example formed by two elongate members 16.1, 16.1', 16.2, 16.2 ', articulated relative to each other, one of the members being provided for example with a means of gripping (not shown), such as a clamp.

The arms 16, 16 'can be controlled from the outside by operators or can be moved according to a computer program without outside intervention.

The arm 16 'sets up the plugs, and advantageously puts in place the air or helium supply tubes and fixes them on connectors plugs.

The bell 14 advantageously comprises a storage device 22 of several plugs of case. In the example shown on the figure 3 , This device 22 is placed on an inner wall of the bell 14. This storage in the bell 14 avoids having to raise the bell between each case closure.

Advantageously, this storage device makes it possible to store two types of plug, a first type intended to be in contact with the nuclear fuel and a second type comprising means for gripping the case and intended to be fixed on an outer face. the first stopper.

Advantageously, both types of plug are stored in separate storage devices.

The base 8 comprises means for positioning the bell 14 and the package 11 in a relative position identical to each case load 12.

The base 8 comprises, for example a housing 24 of inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the package 11, and a disc 26 of outer diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of an open lower end 28 of the bell 14, the disc 26 and the housing 24 being in the example shown coaxial.

Thus when the bell 14 is placed on the base 8, it occupies a unique position, the same for the case 12. It is then possible to automate the closing process, since the positions of the package, in particular the case and the bell are always the same; the arms can then move according to a pre-established command, without the intervention of an operator during the closing steps.

We will now describe in detail the particular steps of the method according to the present invention.

In step 100, the package 11 is immersed and placed in the housing 24 of the base 8.

In step 300, the device 300 is placed over the package 11, the lower end 28 of the bell 14 is placed around the disk 26 of the base 8. Each package 11 and the bell 14 then always have the same relative position.

In step 400, the water level is maintained below the open end 30 of the package 11 by a pressurizing system that injects gas, for example pressurized air into the bell . Thus the upper end 30 of the package 11 is in the air although it is arranged in the pool, the closure of the case 12 can take place in a dry environment while enjoying the biological protection granted by the water.

Advantageously, the interior of the bell 14 is kept permanently dry by the pressurizing system, to limit any deterioration of the equipment that it comprises. In addition, when it is placed on the packaging, the water level is maintained by the pressurizing system.

In step 500, a first plug is removed from its storage device 22 by the arm 16 and is disposed on the open end 13 of the case 12 so as to completely close it.

The first plugs have connectors allowing a control of drying and allowing the injection of helium inside the case. These connectors are of the self-sealing type, well known to those skilled in the art. After injection of the helium into the case, the end of the connectors is welded.

As will be described later, these connectors make it possible to check the presence of water in the holster and the tightness of the closure obtained by the plug after the plug is put in place.

The connectors also allow the case to be emptied according to step 600.

This cap is then fixed on the case 12, advantageously by welding. One could also provide to screw the cap.

The welding is for example a tungsten welding (TIG).

In step 600, the water contained in the holster is removed by means of a pump connected to the end of a plug connector. In addition to the extraction by means of a pump, the drying of the inside of the case by a sweeping, for example air, is provided.

One could consider removing the water before putting the cap on.

The case 12 is centered in the container 10, which is itself centered in the part 24.

In step 700, a check is made for the absence of water in the case, for example by a pressure rise measurement. This measurement involves putting the holster in depression and checking the stability of the depression.

If the measurement shows that water persists in the case, step 600 is repeated, especially for air-drying. Then a new check according to step 700 takes place.

If the measurement shows that the inside of the case is dry, we go to step 800 to check the closing seal made by the plug and the weld. For example, a plug connector is injected with a gas, advantageously helium, and then a helium spectrometer is used to check for any leakage of helium at the weld.

If a leak is detected, that is to say, if the weld has a fault, go to step 1300. In this step 1300, it can be expected to repair this weld if the defect is small. If the operations are stopped the bell is removed, the case is also removed from the package and opened to recover the fuel.

If no leak is detected, it is possible in a step 900 to remove a second plug of the storage device, and to fix it, for example by welding, on the first plug. This second cap allows the gripping of the case. For welding, the means used to weld the first plug on the case can be used.

If a second cap is not attached to the first cap, go directly to a step 1000 (dashed arrow)

In a subsequent step 1000, the bell is removed.

Then in a step 1100, a plug is placed on the container.

One could also consider setting up the lid on the container in the presence of the bell.

At a step 1200, the container provided with the loaded case is removed from the pool

The closure device according to the present invention comprises a bell and all the means for implementing the method as described above.

• une cloche,
• au moins un premier bouchon muni de connecteurs,
• un bras pour mettre en place ledit bouchon sur l'étui,
• des moyens de fixation du bouchon sur l'étui,
• des moyens de retrait de l'eau, formés par exemple par une pompe et moyens de balayage de gaz,
• des moyens de vérification du retrait total de l'eau par mesure d'une remontée de pression, et,
• des moyens de contrôle de l'étanchéité de la fermeture de l'étui sur le bouchon, par injection d'hélium et détection d'une fuite d'hélium par un spectromètre à hélium.

The closure device therefore comprises:

• a bell,
• at least a first plug with connectors,
• an arm for putting said stopper on the case,
• means for fixing the cap on the case,
• means for removing water, formed for example by a pump and gas scavenging means,
• means for verifying the total withdrawal of the water by measuring a rise in pressure, and
• means for checking the tightness of the closure of the case on the cap, by helium injection and detection of a helium leak by a helium spectrometer.

Thus, this device is completely autonomous and isolated from the outside environment by its immersion in the pool. No radiation leakage can take place, since no transfer of equipment between the bell and the air environment takes place.

It can further be provided that the closure device operates in a predetermined sequence, without human intervention. On the contrary, it can be provided that each step is controlled by an operator.

The bell measures for example 2 meters in diameter and 3 meters high.

The closure device according to the present invention advantageously makes it possible not to use heavy means such as hot cells to carry out the conditioning of the irradiated fuel.

The closure device according to the present invention offers the advantage of being transportable in different places, so it can be used for several pools, which reduces costs.

In addition, the conditioning in swimming pool makes it possible to preserve the biological protection granted by the water.

In addition, the use of a holster disposed in a container makes it possible to use a first lid without internal biological protection. The first cover is then thin. Thus, the height of the case is reduced, from where it results in better filling of the storage devices.

Claims (15)

1. Method for confining a canister (12) contained in a container (10) in a cooling pond (2), wherein said canister (12) is loaded with nuclear fuel, comprising the steps of:

   - immersion of the packaging (11) comprising the container (10) and the canister (12), in the cooling pond (2),

   - loading the canister (12) with nuclear fuel (4),

   - fitting a device for sealing (D) the canister (12) on top of a container (10), wherein said device comprises at least one first canister cap,

   - maintaining a pneumatic fluid pressure in the sealing device so as to maintain the water level at a level below that of an open end (30) of the packaging (11),

   - attachment of a cap onto an open end (13) of the canister (12) by means contained inside the sealing device (D),

   - emptying the canister (12) by emptying means inside the device,

   - verification of the sealed confinement provided by the cap,

   - withdrawal of the sealing device (D).
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein when the canister (12) is emptied, the water is withdrawn using a pump, then sweeping with gas is carried out in the canister (12) to dry the inside of the canister, after emptying, a verification is carried out of the absence of water in the canister (12), for example by measuring the pressure build up.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the verification of the sealed confinement comprises:

   - sweeping with helium of the interior of the canister and pressurising the interior of the canister with helium,

   - use of a helium spectrometer to detect any helium leaks.
4. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the first cap is attached by welding.
5. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein a second cap contained in the sealing device, is attached to the first cap prior to the withdrawal of the sealing device (D).
6. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein a cap is fitted onto the container (10) after withdrawal of the sealing device (D).
7. Method according to any of the previous claims, wherein the packaging (11) and the sealing device (D) are positioned in a determined relative position with respect to one another.
8. Device for sealing a canister (12) contained in a container (10) in a cooling pond, said canister (12) is loaded with irradiated fuel, comprising a bell jar (14) designed to cover an open end of the container, with means capable of maintaining a pneumatic fluid pressure in the bell jar so as to maintain the water level at a level below that of the open end of (30) of the loaded container of the canister (12), wherein said bell jar is designed to contain at least one first cap equipped with connectors, wherein said bell jar also includes means (16) of fitting said cap onto the canister (12), means of attaching the cap onto the canister, means of withdrawing the water, means of verifying the total withdrawal of the water and means of checking the sealed confinement of the canister on the cap.
9. Device according to the previous claim, comprising an arm forming the means of fitting the cap.
10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the means of withdrawing the water comprises a pump and means of sweeping the canister (12) with gas in order to dry it, wherein said pump and said sweeping means may be connected to at least one connector.
11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the means of verifying the seal comprise means of injecting helium into the canister (12) and a helium spectrometer.
12. Device according to the previous claim, wherein the means of injecting helium may be connected to at least one connector.
13. Device according to any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the attachment means are welding means, these means being brought close to the canister by an arm inside the bell jar.
14. Device according to any of claims 8 to 13, comprising a device for storing several first canister (12) caps.
15. Device according to any of claims 8 to 14, comprising a device for storing several second caps designed to be attached to the first caps.

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